Car Accidents

In today’s age, there are many reasons for car accidents. With a lot of efforts placed on the awareness and education of driving under the influence, which is still a huge problem, this is not the biggest problem. The number one cause of car accidents is distracted driving. The term “distracted driving” is a broad term that incorporates driving while doing just about anything on a cell phone or mobile device. In a recent study from Cambridge Mobile Telematics, distracted driving was shown to be the leading cause of car crashes.

According to the study, out of all the recorded drives that ended in a crash, 52% of those trips were due to distracted driving. These distractions are also not just quick glances at the drivers’ cell phones; the average distraction lasts 135 seconds. Not to mention that while these long distractions are taking place, 29% of the distracted drivers were exceeding 56 miles per hour. Driving at these speeds while distracted for on average 135 seconds, is clearly a recipe for disaster.

Since 2015, the fatalities on the road rose by 14%, which is exponential compared to previous years, and directly correlated to the increase in popularity in smartphones. Irony also plays a role in this dramatic increase, because smartphones are also the solution to this problem. Smartphones are what allow this data to be tracked, and the sending out of information regarding awareness and education to take place so easily. Because the solution is part of the problem and progress seems obsolete at the moment, it is important to know what your next steps are if you or someone you know gets in a car accident.

According to Williams Kherkher and their list of frequently asked questions, the most common question a client asks is, “I was hurt in a serious crash. What do I do?” This confusion is highly likely when it comes someone who has just been in a car crash. Instead of expecting every civilian to understand and memorize the laws involved in the crash and what you can get from it, there are experienced lawyers who can answer all your questions. Insurance companies will offer their clients settlements to try to avoid a lawsuit, and only professional lawyers will have the knowledge and experience to make an informed decision on whether or not to settle.

There are many things to determine after a car accident takes place. First being who is at fault, and from there the lawyer can determine what compensation you deserve. You need to find a lawyer you can trust. Therefore you can fully put your faith in them that you are truly being treated fairly by the court of law. It is very common for people to settle for less than they deserve because they did not seek proper legal assistance. Don’t let this happen to you or a loved one, and get the proper legal care you need.

Based on data gathered for the year 2013, the Texas Department of Transportation notes that one person becomes injured in a car accident every 2 hours. Similarly, they also found that one reportable car crash or collision happens every 71 seconds. Judging by these figures, it’s easy to conclude that traffic accidents remain a serious problem in roads and highways in Texas. Fortunately, this issue can be easily curbed through the strict implementation and proper implantation of policies promoting traffic safety.

One common problem that specifically needs to be addressed is reckless driving. The Texas Transportation Code defines it as a driver’s “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Violations that fall under this definition are varied. Instances of reckless driving include going over the speed limit, ignoring stop signs or red lights, failing to signal or give way to pedestrians, and operating vehicles with faulty breaks. It is considered a misdemeanor and could result in a number of penalties.

The penalties for reckless driving will depend on specific circumstances. However, drivers charged with such violations are typically face fines that cost up to $200, spending up to 30 days in county jail, or a combination of both. While the punishment for a reckless driving charge is considered a lot less severe compared to other traffic violations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI), it should be noted that it could still have a significant effect on a person’s reputation and livelihood. As such, getting charged and convicted with reckless driving is not something that one should take lightly.

Policies and regulations for common traffic issues such as reckless driving are definitely essential to help curb the growing numbers of car accidents and injuries. However, it should be pointed out that broad definitions of the law could lead to arrests and charges that might not be completely founded and could be contested. Contact a criminal defense attorney for more information.

It would be naïve to discount the fact that driving and commuting isn’t without certain risks. Car accidents happen all too frequently in the United States, and some usually end in catastrophic wrecks that leave people seriously injured. This is particularly true for rollover accidents, which can be the fault of another driver, or in some cases the fault of a vehicle’s manufacturer.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA, these types of accidents have a fatality rate that is considerably higher compared to other kinds of vehicular crashes and collisions. The NHTSA estimates that rollover accidents cause about 10,000 deaths every year. Such a significant figure can make one wonder what makes rollover accidents especially dangerous?

Rollover accidents refer to crashes that involve a vehicle that flips to its side or turns over completely. Only certain types of vehicles are susceptible to such accidents. Driving a larger and more top-heavy vehicle such as SUVs, 4-wheel drives, and other similar models that have significant vertical clearance leaves one more vulnerable to greater risks. This is mostly due to issues with stability. These larger vehicles have a higher center of gravity compared to regular passenger car. In other words, these vehicles usually have larger tires that cause their center of gravity to be much farther from the ground than a typical car. Stability issues occur when SUVs and similar vehicles are driving down narrow roads that leave them little room to maneuver. In turn, sudden lurches caused by sharp turns and other abrupt changes in movement can cause the vehicle to become unstable and tip to the side or flip over. Other contributing factors to rollover accidents include hazardous road conditions such as driving down a slippery path in bad weather.

The risk of rollover accidents can also be doubled if the vehicle has some mechanical defect or error, like damaged tires or an integral issue with design. Milwaukee car accident attorneys stress that rollover victims should know that manufacturers can possibly be held accountable for accidents that happen under these circumstances.